Brandon Matera

Go Green if you can get one or the other.

Would rather Matera but I would be happy with Green.

Suns enigma turns it around after being dropped Michael Whiting July 22, 2016 7:19 AM

BRANDON Matera is as talented and exciting as he is frustrating and irritating.

He is an enigma Gold Coast is still trying to solve after six seasons.

The diminutive forward has enough skill to be one of the best in his position in the competition, yet often lets himself down with below-par work-rate.

Now 24 and with 85 games to his name, Matera has again endured a frustrating season.

He was dropped to the NEAFL earlier this year, a clear message from coach Rodney Eade that he wasnā€™t doing enough.

His defensive pressure was almost non-existent, and even his usually reliable skills had dropped off.

But in the past month, the pendulum has swung back towards the productive, spark plug version of the knockabout West Australian.

With tall timber Tom Lynch and Peter Wright providing aerial targets, Matera has profited at their feet, averaging 15 disposals and kicking eight goals over the past four matches.

He said being dropped was a wake-up call.

ā€œDefensive pressure and my kicking efficiency was down ā€“ they were my two big messages,ā€ Matera said.

"I learnt my lesson and went back and worked on it as much as I could.

"The last four games have been really good, probably on the back of us forward line playing together as a group, the continuity of getting to know each other.

ā€œThe big guys have been pretty good, made our job a lot easier.ā€

While the midfield has been smashed by injuries, Matera says continuity with forwards, including first-year Suns Ryan Davis and Callum Ah Chee, has helped him learn leading patterns and where to stand at stoppages.

Eade is pleased with Materaā€™s progression, and with a year remaining on his contract, the small forward says he expects a big six weeks to finish the season and a bumper 2017.

ā€œWeā€™ve got the right personnel here,ā€ he said.

"Rocketā€™s come in with a good game-plan.

"Iā€™m really excited.

"Itā€™s come to a point where weā€™re sick of losing. We want to go up the ladder.

"Weā€™ve got all the stuff in place, itā€™s a matter of getting everyone on the track and playing together and getting that continuity.

ā€œWe need to use this six weeks as a stepping stone.ā€

Edwards/Cupido mark II?

Meh, donā€™t really see the point of trying to get him now anyway given his form will have driven his trade price up and the Suns are ā– ā– ā– ā– ā– ā–  to being with.

As a mature player who had show more in the past getting him for a mid to late third rounder and hoping a fresh start would help is a fair gamble. The Suns will probably want far more now and at that point you are probably just better of drafting your own small forward and developing them.

Watched him squib some important contests this weekend with the game on the line.

We donā€™t need to recruit show ponies who donā€™t play hard.

Green may not have the potential of Matera. But from what Iā€™ve seen, he has that competitiveness of a Francis, Goddard, Hurley & Parrish. Desperately wants to win every inch, and gets quite yappy at the opposition. Something we havenā€™t seen since Mark Johnson.

Just thought Iā€™d bump this seeing as though heā€™s exploring his options. Anyone for or opposed? Iā€™m a bit indifferent.

Indifferent. Not even close to the output that Green offers.

Weā€™re suddenly all full up for small forwardsā€¦ sorry Brandon.

Vehemently opposed.

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Thatā€™s a stretch considering he kicked 22 goals in 10 games before he got injured including a haul of 6. I reckon heā€™s an as good of option than green, and he can play in midfield too. Donā€™t think weā€™ll go after him but green isnā€™t streets ahead of him, intact Iā€™d probably rather matera

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Iā€™d consider himā€¦and I thought I heard he barracked for us as a kid.

I actually disagree with this. It certainly isnā€™t a priority, but if the best available kid in the second round on is a forward, or we can get a good candidate cheap, I would jump on it. I expect Fantasia and Walla to spend more time in the midfield going forward, so having someone who can cover them up forward makes a lot of sense.

That said, on Matera himself I donā€™t watch enough (ok, virtually any) Suns games, so have no idea if he could fit in. We need a true small forward - what we are full to the brim on is marking half-forwards (Laverde, Francis, Langford, Redman). If he can apply pressure, get goals, and cover Walla and Razā€™s time in the middle, Iā€™d consider it.

Iā€™d take him in a heartbeat if he wasnā€™t too expensive.
iā€™ve always rated him, but I didnā€™t want him this time last year because I honestly thought the GC had munted him for good
The games heā€™s been able to play this season have proved me wrong.
Quality. Not too old. And easily capable of racking up disposals in the midfield.

Mad not to.

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Before he got injured it was easily the best form heā€™s produced since his early days

Wouldnā€™t Matera go back to WA anyway?

Youā€™d think the Eagles would be into him in a big way, yeah.
Wallyā€™s son?

Not fussed either way tbh, ā€¦ you might say, it doesnā€™t Materā€™a bugger to me if we get him or not.

Is that the door there ā€¦?

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When green/fantasia has been out can see we havent got depth in this role.
Would get him if he came cheap.
Also we might plan to have Tippa and Fantasia spend more time in the middle next year.

yes

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